Character Lasts

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8

Capability without character is a lethal combination. Just look to some of the celebrities who are ruined by drugs, money, or pride. When your time on planet earth is up, it’s not your career but your character that goes with you. Christ-like character is what God wants you to grow in most of all.

But what does character actually look like? You could say it’s doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. A pat on the back from people is fine, but watch out that you’re not riding the wave of people-approval; you never know when the compliments could come to a crashing halt. Obviously, the best example of character is found in the life of Jesus.

But how do we make that part of our lives? Peter fleshes it out for us like this: ‘Make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone’ (2 Peter 1:5-8). Your faith in Christ has to be more than belief in certain facts; it needs to result in action and growth, otherwise it could begin to wither.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help remind me daily that I am to be more and more like You each day so I can reflect You to others who do not know You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen